$800,000 for PR props

Written By: - Date published: 8:34 pm, May 5th, 2011 - 103 comments
Categories: leadership - Tags:

Looks like John Key’s need to look like a celebrity has cost the tax payer $800,000 – that’s the blow out in cost for his DPS entourage, a cost that includes $30,000 for sending officers to Hawaii.

So let’s get this straight. $500k for the people of Te Tai Tokerau to have a by-election is wasteful but $800k for John to big note is all good?

What a joke.

I can just see him humming this to himself while he pisses away our money:

103 comments on “$800,000 for PR props ”

  1. higherstandard 1

    Is he responsible for DPS?

    I suspect no one in Hawaii would have a clue who he is…… but on the topic of Te Tai Tokerau they should take some of the heat for these increased costs on the back of those two tards who tried to mug him on Waitangi day…. not to mention some of the disturbing stuff the dom post published regarding what those activist nutters were considering.

    • Eddie 1.1

      “Is he responsible for DPS?”

      PMs clearly have some choice over how much DPS cover they have, otherwise other PMs would have taken DPS overseas and had conspicuous cover like Key does.

      Face it, he’s a little wannabe playing President with our money.

      • Bunji 1.1.1

        I like how he tried to deny any responsibility for his spending on One News last night. He’s the bloomin’ PM for goodness sake, of course he’s responsible for all government spending. No Truman-esque “The Buck Stops Here” sign in his office, evidently.

        Given that the right thought Helen was responsible for keeping track of her chauffeur’s speedometer, you’d think Key might just be responsible for how many big burly men he keeps around him in Hawaii. No-one over there is even going to know who he is without the DPS around to tell them…

  2. Pascal's bookie 2

    And who else saw the look that crossed Collin’s face when Paddy Gower was repeating his question about the 11k petrol bill for her self drive car?

    He asked a couple of times if family members were using the car, and she responded cooly enough that her use was within the rules. Then he changed the question to ask if family members were using the car for work purposes, and she got the same answer out; but not before the inner lizard did a head check. For a split second I thought she was going to eat him right there on the tele.

    • rosy 2.1

      Then he changed the question to ask if family members were using the car for work purposes

      hmmm, that seems very specific. I wonder if it’s just baiting or whether he has some evidence saved for a later day.

    • felix 2.2

      Nah, she’s a big sook. Another couple of questions and there’d have been tears I reckon.

      Reckon “Paddy” knows exactly who’s driving that car to work though.

    • Eddie 2.3

      not usually my field, but let’s do the maths

      $11,000 in two and a half years.

      Typical petrol price in that time, let’s say $1.80 per litre.

      Total litres purchased, about 6,000

      fuel efficiency of a Mazda 6 about 8.5l/100km

      total distance driven, about 70,000

      number of weeks, 120

      km per week, about 600

      hmmm. 600km per week.A hell of a lot.

      Clearly not Collins is not driving her self-drive that much each week, considering she’s in Wellington most of the time and the car’s at home in Clevedon.

      But what if hubbie works in Auckland CBD, about 45km away. Ten trips a week, that’s 450km.

      bingo.

      • jbc 2.3.1

        I have a Mazda 5 (the 1998cc people mover) which is supposedly 9.2 l/100km but I seem to use about 15 l/100km when solely city driving.

        I know this because I started recording fill-ups for the past few months as I thought it rather thirsty. Commuting is a killer for fuel economy so I’ve taken use public transport most of the time.

        It’s a pity more people don’t engage their brains when it comes to efficiency and consumption. Govt included. Makes it easy to forget when it’s not your money being spent I suppose.

        Just FYI.

        • Lanthanide 2.3.1.1

          Ouch. My car is rated for 5.9L/100km, and I got that on my trip to Hamner. Haven’t really measured it around town, but doesn’t seem too far out.

  3. burt 3

    $800,000 – that’s a familiar amount of money for a PM to use to promote themselves. I guess he didn’t steal it or he would be hailed as the greatest leader ever on this blog !

  4. felix 4

    The bit at the end about Collins and her petrol bill, video here: http://www.3news.co.nz/Collins-taxpayer-funded-petrol-bills-top-11000/tabid/370/articleID/209944/Default.aspx

    So who’s gas are we actually paying for here? Judith’s husband’s? Her children’s? Her brother in law’s? Her cousin’s?

    And her answer, less convincing with every repetition until she almost cries (so tough, Crusher): “All my petrol is within the rules”

    Where have I heard that excuse before? And how well did that go?

    • burt 4.1

      So have I got this right – she let the family use the car ? That’s sackable…. unless of course the family crash the car and drugs are found in it… then its… OK!

      • felix 4.1.1

        burt you’re a mental.

        She let someone – not necessarily family either btw – spend 11 grand of public money on petrol.

        • burt 4.1.1.1

          So will she do Labour MP and just pay it back or do you think that we should set a precedent and enforce the rules as written rather than allowing them to use the “rules were confusing” and “others were doing it too” baby excuses normally defended by the lovers of corruption?

          • felix 4.1.1.1.1

            No burt, we should do what we did to your mate Rodney and run her out of town with arrows in her stupid back.

            • burt 4.1.1.1.1.1

              I like this new standard of openness and accountability. It’s time the promise of 1999 was delivered on!

              • Armchair Critic

                Hey burt, save yourself the time and effort of actually typing, I’ve summarised all your comments into two sentences. All you need to do is copy and paste.
                1.Waaaah, Labour did it too
                2. Retrospective!

                • burt

                  Yes retrospective validation of spending that Labour were advised would be illegal was pretty shabby and it is hard to understand how people defend it based solely on the fact Labour did it. But I don’t actually see how you and I can make an assessment of Key’s security requirement ?

                  Clearly felix can, he knows it’s not needed in Hawaii… but the rest of us would be talking out of our ass if we pretended to know what was valid and what wasn’t.

                  • IrishBill

                    National good Labour bad eh Burt?

                  • Armchair Critic

                    I hope Done Brash remembers to include the GST for his party’s advertising this time round.
                    Someone is responsible for setting and managing the DPS budget. Which Minister is responsible for DPS? Ultimately they are responsible for assessing Key’s security requirement, and as citizens were are all entitled to ask questions about how well this Minister is doing their job.

                    • burt

                      I hope so too. But if he “forgets” lets hope Labour don’t validate the last 14 years of misappropriations to kill off a court case for their leader and let Brash off the hook – again !

                • felix

                  Shhhhh Armchair Critic, burt doesn’t know that National is in govt now and we don’t want to shock him.

                  I think you got away with it but if he gets suspicious just complain about all the lesbian taxes.

                  • Armchair Critic

                    That swishing noise was a whole lot of stuff going over burt’s head.

                    • Samuel Hill

                      This is as bad as Bill English’s housing allowance. Sack them both.

    • Carol 4.2

      Hmmm… at the end of the vid, Gower misrepresents the questions in Question Time today about Key’s chopper ride. Gower says Key was repeatedly queried on what was so important that he needed to take the chopper. In fact, the questions were, would Key have arrived in time for his security meeting if he had travelled by car.

    • Vicky32 4.3

      I just feel bound to point out that despite the fact that the American terms ‘gas’ and ‘gasoline’ have taken over from the word petrol in New Zealand, it’s just wrong. Not morally wrong, and not just linguistically wrong – but physically, factually and scientifically wrong.
      The stuff you put in your car is not a gas, and does not become a gas until some way into the combustion cycle. My annoyance with persistent Americanisms and the fact that they have almost completely taken over from New Zealand English are not as much because of national pride, but because a good half of them are ambiguous and inaccurate!
      F’r instance I saw a headline here or on Frogblog about families suffering because of high gas prices. I ended up wondering whether the issue was heating/cooking etc costs, or transport? I am still wondering – the unnecessary ambiguity annoyed me so much I decided not to read it.

      • jbc 4.3.1

        I think that ‘gas’ is simply short for gasoline and not literally referring to a state of matter. In that case it is not factually and scientifically wrong, but perhaps just irritating for some.

        Just like ‘liquid’ assets and a ‘solid’ argument. Not referring to states of matter.

        • Vicky32 4.3.1.1

          I did mention the word gasoline. But my question remains… what does it mean? (I think it was originally a brand name?) Why should we in New Zealand use the word? We had a perfectly good word already (petrol). One of the reasons why I can’t regard retail sales as a profession, shop-keepers as professionals, is the degree of ignorance that is responsible for such abominations as a New Zealand product being named “Colorsteel” and seeing shop displays that advertise ‘flavors’, ‘color’ film and ‘tires’, which to me is a verb and does not mean the rubber things that go on car wheels. The new buzzword/phrase is “different than”. I was amazed to hear the OAP Don Brash say “different than” last night! I know he didn’t grow up with the electronic baby-sitter, which is the excuse I tell myself every time I hear someone aged between 15-25 using not just American lexis but also the ghastly fake California accent all of today’s teens seem obliged to do… (I did it when I was 17, as my family had just got TV, and was laughed to scorn by parents, schoolmates and school teachers. It reminds of John Key on the radio on Tuesday morning giving his estimate of NZ’s new ‘threat assessment’ after the news about OBL… I thought Key’s “me-too-ism” strikes again. Why does what was becoming anadult, independent culture in the 1980s, have to jump back into the cradle again, with a cry of “me tooooooooooooooooooooo!”

          • Lanthanide 4.3.1.1.1

            For someone so caught up on grammar, you should really use paragraphs. I didn’t bother reading the 2nd half of your diatribe.

            • Vicky32 4.3.1.1.1.1

              Oh well, that’s me told! 😛
              However, I did use paragraphs. Then I hit ‘submit’ and the result is what you see. By calling it a ‘diatribe’ you are indicating clearly that you are bitterly angry and offended. I simply ask ‘why’?

              [lprent: The wysiwyg editor sometimes does that for no reason that I can see. It is on my list of things to fix when I can free some time. ]

  5. Rich 5

    Look, a bro’s got to have a posse, man.

    How’s he gonna get on Pimp My Ride or Cribs without a bunch of heavy dudes packin heat. Oh, and the hos.

    If anyone’s feeling smart, they should OIA the cost of the new DPS issue firearms.

  6. HS apparentley Key owns a condo in Hawaii, he has owned it for some time and spends his holidays there. Very patriotic; don’t you think?

    • burt 6.1

      unbelievable ! He’s got a condo in Hawaii… I mean if he has 5 rental properties and takes European ski holidays then that’s cool – but a condo in Hawaii – nasty.

      • Jum 6.1.1

        Yeah, burt,

        Difference is the woman with the rentals earned hers by working for New Zealand; Key stole his by working a speculative run on the NZ dollar, then comes over here to steal what’s left before he buggers off back to his masters in America, leaving New Zealand open for destruction by more money launderers like him.

  7. felix 7

    Agree with what hs said – Key doesn’t need DPS in Hawaii any more than you or I would.

    • Tanz 7.1

      Jealous, are we? Tired of Coromandel holidays? Hoola in Hawaii, and Key is very very famous.

      • Eddie 7.1.1

        don’t be a fuckwit, Tanz. people can criticise another’s behaviour without secretly wishing it was them.

        and key is not ‘very, very famous’ he’s such a lightweight he couldn’t even introduce himself to Elton John. Nobody knows who he is overseas, let alone could be bothered killing him.

        • Tanz 7.1.1.1

          I thought it was gracious of Key not to introduce himself to Elton John. It wouldn’t have been appropriate, given the event, and why should Elton be interested in politicians anyway. Elton is rather formidable, being so mega-famous. Key held back on that occasion, and it was warranted.

          I think leaders/celebrities/politicians, etc these days need security anywhere, because the village is global, and it is better to be safe than sorry.

          Key has a condo there cause he can. Wouildn’t you? Who can blame him.

          • Eddie 7.1.1.1.1

            “hey has a condo there cause he can. Wouildn’t you? Who can blame him.”

            No I wouldn’t, as it happens.

            I wouldn’t own a $2 million condo that I visit once or twice a year when there are people in this world that could really be helped by a fraction of that.

            It’s a bit like asking why I don’t get beggars in the teeth ’cause I can’. My choices are defined my my morals, as well as my physical and financial means.

            And Key said he didn’t introduce himself to Elton John because he was too shy. That’s right, a leader of 4.3 million people doesn’t get that he is meant to have some dignatis. Instead he blushes like a schoolgirl when he sees a guy who sings songs.

            • Tanz 7.1.1.1.1.1

              Key having a condo over in Hawaii is not hurting anyone though, it’s his business, and if he wasn’t PM, no one would care.

              It was nice that Key was shy, too shy to say hello to Elton. Sometimes less is more.

              As for the money, the $800,000, is this amount proven? Still, it only buys a nice house/bach, these days. And that would be chickenfeed to a president.

              • felix

                So if it’s his business, why are we paying for bodyguards to stay there with him? Going to Hawaii isn’t part of his job, is it?

                As you say, it’s his business – not ours.

                • rosy

                  Just as taking his kid to the car races and then going to dinner at the golf club. That was his business too (day-off stuff), but we still paid for it.

              • Tanz

                I believe in the US, that sort of money is considered a slush fund, but that would be nickel and dime stuff to them, of course!

                Been reading Absolute Power, by David Baldacci, sorry, that’s a bit off topic.

              • Maybe that’s why the US is $14 trillion in debt and counting.

        • Jum 7.1.1.2

          Yes, it was priceless, Eddie, seeing Gillard and Key come through the abbey door but only Gillard and Australia was mentioned, nothing at all about the jolly greenstone washed gnome.

      • felix 7.1.2

        I don’t understand what you mean. I was saying that Key doesn’t need DPS in Hawaii.

        What?

    • Treetop 7.2

      Every senario has to be thought through when it comes to the PMs security. Were the PM to go swimming in Hawaii and a great white just happened to be passing by, then they could all have fish and chips for dinner!

  8. seeker 8

    @Pascal’s Bookie 8.52pm

    She (Judith) certainly had her answer ready for him(Paddy) and kept repeating it like a mantra, just like Bill English today in Parliament when being questioned by Pete Hodgson about the PM’s use of a helicopter to a ‘security meeting’

    http://blog.labour.org.nz/index.php/2011/05/05/chopper-key-it-wasnt-the-flight-it-was-the-cover-up/

    I was mesmerised, not just by the number of times the same answer was given, but by the number of times Ms.Collins called Patrick Gower, “Paddy”. Is he called this by all -or just inner lizards? I have never heard him called this before. “Patrick” just doesn’t look like “Paddy” to little ol’me in the outer ‘tv viewer’s’ circle.

    Great observation PB.

    • Eddie 8.1

      They call him Paddy. But Collins was clearly using a nickname to try to disarm him.

  9. ianmac 9

    Remember Election night 2008 and giggling Key made his way into the hall filled with his supporters but with several darksuited heavies leading the way in case some of those pesky Nat Supporters touched him. Like a gangster in a dark movie.

  10. Gee this thread has been busy.

    Helen did not need DPS overseas, she preferred to climb mountains. What sort of wimp is this John Key person?

    And Collins?

    You mean she has been bludging on the people’s credit card?

    This is the trouble with the tories. They think that a Ministerial wage is a sacrifice rather than a privilege.

    • ianmac 10.1

      About a year ago the question of Collin’s car expenses came up. The journalist asked the same questions and Collins gave the same answers. Within the rules. I remember her reptillian stare at the questioner and he seemed to crumble. Certain degree of arrogance in that woman. It might be her downfall yet.

      • mickysavage 10.1.1

        Aye

        I have been to Auckland Law Society gatherings where she would walk in, size up who was good for her career, talk to them and ignore everyone else. Her reputation amongst lawyers is, well, poor. She is not very bright and brittle and making very important decisions …

        • Tanz 10.1.1.1

          Nonsense. Only the best make it into Parliament, and I bet Judith was/is a great lawyer, a true blue Tory (meant in the nicest possible way). Good on her.

      • infused 10.1.2

        It’s not arrogance. He was simply baiting her. It was a good response. I was surprised she didn’t say “get the fuck out of my way”. Looked like she wanted to.

  11. ianmac 11

    There were some VIP people at the Wedding. Did you see a phalanx of dark suits protecting each one? Nah! But even in the halls of Parliament John has to be guarded. Watch next time he walks along to talk to dangerous journalists..

    • g_man 11.1

      Well, remembering that John Key was attacked at Waitangi by the Popata brothers in 2009, and a certain MP said he would do what he could to help them because they were his nephews. Further stating, “I’ve been impressed by the sincerity and the passion that they bring to the activities that they are involved in … Sure, sometimes that passion spills over, and sometimes that leads to actions that society might frown upon, but with my record, who am I to criticise? I can recall with distinct clarity putting myself outside the norm and often outside the law to promote ideas and beliefs that we were passionate about when we were young (once upon a time!), and I don’t regret any of it – not for one second.”

      And then, earlier this year at Waitangi, Wikitana Popata yelled through a loudhailer, calling him “the enemy”, later saying, “Now is the time to intensify the struggle. He [Key] is the one responsible for stealing our foreshore and our land” …

      … and the same MP praised his actions, pretty much saying that he wasn’t allowed to do it himself because he had been told he had to be polite on the marae.

      To be honest, with someone like Hone Harawira around Parliament, I wouldn’t blame anyone for wanting protection.

      • ianmac 11.1.1

        Diddums. Perhaps you and your mate Key need a woman to protect you.

        • g_man 11.1.1.1

          So you have no problem with a current sitting MP supporting violent protest against the leader of our country, whoever it is?

          Says a lot …

          • Jum 11.1.1.1.1

            I didn’t see you leaping up and down telling Helen Clark she should get the amount of protection JKeyll has, given the numbers of misogynistic g-men in this country.

            Like it was said so clearly this morning, no other Prime Minister has had bullyboys protecting him or her in Parliament; I’ve been there. There’s more than enough scare security around not to have to worry about that.

            Still, given JKeyll is killing the future of New Zealanders, by selling them off to American business, (you know them, g-man – JKeyll’s masters…) I’m not surprised people are beginning to get angry.

            What a joke JKeyll is.

      • Pascal's bookie 11.1.2

        There was also that fantasist with a record of play acting Frederick Forsyth novel characters. Specifically, assassins.

  12. Irascible 12

    The bill for extravagant spending by the Key led NACToid government keeps mounting as each example of self-aggrandisement is revealed.
    Key: $2000.00 for a helicopter flight back to Auckland for an unspecified security meeting. $7000+ for the air force to fly him to a Bellusconi moment in Hamilton then back to a golf club dinner plus other flights to karaeoke at a music festival and now $800,000 for security cover because he chooses to live in Hawaii as his electorate’s name gives him a rash each time he visits.
    McCully over $75,000 to fly eight people to Vanuatu because he was too lazy to browse the inter-net to find the regular commercial services there.
    Added to the heated seated BMWs and other photo-opportunity speeding to cars, helicopters and other rorts and this lot look as though they should being hounded to pay back a tonne of irresponsibly used taxpayers’ money.
    Where are the incensed newspaper 7 mediaworks talkback jocks now???

  13. seeker 13

    @ Tanz

    “Only the best make it into Parliament”

    If only! Just look at the poor specimens on the National and Act benches and include the latest addition from Botany. What a weak and ‘unaspirational’ world you must live in Tanz if you think these self-serving, unaccountable, shallow thinking, evasive and often untruthful beings are the “best” New Zealand has to offer!

    • Tanz 13.1

      They are my favourite Parliamentairians, the Acts and the Nats. That’s why the lead the government, they were voted in by pretty much a landslide, and it’s staying that way. In fact, the gap is widening! Tories rule, Ok. And the majority LOVES them, going by the ever-glowing golden dipped polls! The Midas Touch, has Key!!! Wow. The country is glowing, his magic rubbing off.

      • Colonial Viper 13.1.1

        If that were really true Key and his handlers wouldn’t be sweating bullets over this election, which they are.

        Key in particular knows that his time is running out and that the right wing want him gone next term, no matter who is in Government.

        • Jum 13.1.1.1

          Yes, Colonial Viper, JKeyll does know his time is short and he’s grateful; he’s bored with it already, ya know.

          He just needs enough time to put his hand on his chest and say ‘I promised I would resign if the Super age was increased’ just after Bill English, having had it signed off by the Joker, announces it along with the SOE sales.

          Already our Kiwi land is being sold to Germany, Harvard university is already in control of some land, and given their Professors have been involved with Haarp, I would have to wonder what they are doing in New Zealand, with all those lovely valuable minerals living under that pristine white snow down South of New Zealand…

          The one indisputable fact of life in New Zealand is that National and Act with the hangers-on Maori Party and United Future never have done, are doing, or will do anything that benefits all New Zealanders.

          Greedy and selfish people gravitate to the right.

      • felix 13.1.2

        Landslide, Tanz?

        Hardly. Only a couple of seats’ worth in it.

        • Tanz 13.1.2.1

          Wait for November this year, it will be a landslide, circa 2002. National this time sill be smiling, not crying. Governing alone?

          • Jum 13.1.2.1.1

            If National governs alone tanz, then greed and selfishness have won; New Zealand will then be renamed little america.

            I can only imagine you either live outside of New Zealand so don’t really care, or you are a crosby/textor groupie or you will make money out of other New Zealanders’ misery.

            Says a lot about you, just as much as the state of New Zealand today makes a criminal out of JKeyll.

            Sad that JKeyll could lose his sidekick Hide, but not until Hide’s completely destroyed Auckland’s chances of retaining its assets in Auckland residents’ hands. Obviously, Brash wasn’t listening when he struck the deal with JKeyll to win the lead in National after JKeyll went back home to America.

            ‘Keep Hide in so he continues to get the shit flung at him and not at JKeyll or Brash’. But, tanz, anyone with half a brain knows now that Brash really is no gentleman.

  14. Lanthanide 14

    In Key’s defence, he has had a number of high profile visitors to NZ lately, as well as trips overseas, all of which will be coming out of that budget.

    He’s had Prince William here twice, Julia Gillard, and trips to Europe hob-nobbing around the place. He probably had the security team with him when he toured CHCH after both quakes, as well.

    • Colonial Viper 14.1

      Yeah but going to Christchurch – what’s the threat assessment, seriously?

      Primary threat is going to be from another big earthquake – what use are guys with suits and guns when that happens?

      And there is no doubt that VIPs and Key need close protection – but what’s up with the $800K blow out?

      Wait until the fraking RWC happens and the VIPs pour in. More tax payer funds going to look after rich pricks while ordinary NZ’ers do it cold and hungry and are told that using a food bank is a “lifestyle choice”.

    • Luxated 14.2

      Considering both William and Julia would have brought M16(or whoever covers it in the UK)/AFP with them as a matter of course I wouldn’t have thought the DPS overhead would have been that high. A few standard police officers would probably cover most of the extra workload.

  15. I suggest Key the Coward have plenty of overpaid bully boys surrounding him the next time he goes spurting more crap to heartbroken West Coast miners families. This creep Key should learn about karma and shut his pathetic mouth about things he cannot deliver!!

    • Wow! Are you saying the average Kiwi is waking up to his sneaky creepiness???

      • Tanz 15.1.1

        What creepiness? Open, honest, transparent, blokeish and a hit with voters.

        • todd 15.1.1.1

          Anybody who has a nickname like “the smiling assassin” has a certain amount of creepiness about him. The whole smile and waive routine, which lacks any substance while buying the media off and hiding a butcher’s knife to gut the country, can definitely be termed as sneaky. What is really creepy about Shonkey is that he’s been caught out repeatedly lying, while his apparent public opinion rating continues to be high in the polls. Something just doesn’t add up there.

          His dubious investments and association with Merrill Lynch can also be termed creepy, in a stalking killer kind of way. Any “your my mate, here’s a beer and slap another beneficiary on the barbecue” persona that he manages to pull off is totally undermined by his obvious sleazy snake style. His persona reeks of medication. The speech impediment makes him sound like a drunk, or should I say that like Piggy Muldoon he is often inebriated. In either case these are undesirable in a prime minister.

          To use the words “open” or “honest” to describe Shonkey or National who are just moneymakers and elitists, when Shonkey lied about the BMW’s, the NZSAS torture claims and his ability to choose to use the DPS or not (just to name a few of his lies), shows that you are highly deluded Tanz. While National has removed the Christchurch unemployed from the stats, removed public protections, destroyed workers rights and rammed through more legislation under urgency than ever before, to use the word “transparent” is even worse. Could I propose that you open your eyes Tanz.

          Nationals policy ideas should certainly be viewed as creepy by those who they adversely affect. Being that National is about to rape New Zealand if they get a second term; creep is about the best word to describe John Key. Nationals first term, was just about luring their victims into the vehicle. It’ll be your fault for voting for them New Zealand… Which is a typical National blame-the-victim mentality. As for a hit with the voters, I think you’ve grossly overestimated the worst of a bad bunch of reprobates.

    • Jum 15.2

      That’s odd dad 4 justice. I thought you’d love Key, given he’s made the lives of women (those other humans that you hate with such a passion you blog about it on men’s sites) inequitable, unequal and unsafe with the refuges being underfunded and women and children (I didn’t think you would hate children too – maybe just the girls) now forced to look elsewhere if the funding doesn’t get allocated to them because overworked staff have to beg for money from this fxxking government.

      • dad4justice 15.2.1

        Jum you orrible ole nasty witch, my two daughters are loved by their dad. Go eat a bat you demented bitch!

        Oh great stuff this comment is awaiting for moderation.haha. No wonder sewer rats lurk around this shit hole.

        • Jum 15.2.1.1

          LOL. Pick on Helen Clark, whom I admire, and get what you get boy. I never forget or forgive. I also remember posting on Colin Espiner’s blog just after election 2008 saying I hoped I was wrong about Key. I wasn’t. You were.

          The thing that worries me is that in your previous comment calling Key a coward suggests that you want him to get more vicious with the women of New Zealand and the workers of this country. I hope I am wrong about you. I doubt it.

  16. Hmmm $800k more for Key’s bodyguards, $700k less for Womens Refuges.
     
    Says it all really.

  17. felix 17

    I like CV’s take.

    Lifestyle choice.

  18. Treetop 18

    1) Is there not a cheaper way to provide protection for the PM?

    2) Are the cops the best shot compared to an SAS dude or a regular military dude?

  19. Tanz 19

    Do any of you agree with Garth George this week? Even he is having a go at Key, which is unusal, Key apparently out of the country more than he is at his desk. Not taking the tough choices, etc. How come you lefties never agree with the wise Garth George?

    • Jum 19.1

      Garth George, tanz is a rightwing wanker/misogynist/godbotherer, but without the compassion, the intelligence or the writing skills to hold anyone’s trust.

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  • EV road user charges bill passes
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the passing of legislation to move light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into the road user charges system from 1 April.  “It was always intended that EVs and PHEVs would be exempt from road user charges until they reached two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago
  • Bill targets illegal, unregulated fishing in international waters
    New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2023 sets out stronger ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago
  • Reserve Bank appointments
    Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent decision-making body that sets the Official Cash Rate which determines interest rates.  Carl Hansen, the executive director of Capital ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • Stronger protections for apartment owners
    Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act had already introduced some changes in December 2022 and May 2023, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • Travel focused on traditional partners and Middle East
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend.    “This travel will focus on a range of New Zealand’s traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in Gaza,” Mr Peters says.   Mr Peters will attend the NATO Foreign ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • Keep safe on our roads this Easter
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Cost of living support for over 1.4 million Kiwis
    About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Tenancy reviews for social housing restart
    Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary plan halted
    The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago
  • Cutting all that dam red tape
    Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track.  “Dam safety regulations ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Drought support extended to parts of North Island
    The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Passage of major tax bill welcomed
    The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Lifting economy through science, tertiary sectors
    Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government announces Budget priorities
    The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.  The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government to consider accommodation solution
    The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government approves extension to Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care
    Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says.                                         “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • $18m boost for Kiwis travelling to health treatment
    The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says.   “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM’s Prizes for Space to showcase sector’s talent
    The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Concerns conveyed to China over cyber activity
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government.     “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry
    Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function.  The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. “There is a clear need ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Brynderwyns open for Easter
    State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Speech to the Infrastructure Funding & Financing Conference
    Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Parliamentary network breached by the PRC
    New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • NZ to provide support for Solomon Islands election
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ-EU FTA gains Royal Assent for 1 May entry to force
    The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union.    “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • COVID-19 inquiry attracts 11,000 submissions
    Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says.  “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Families to receive up to $75 a week help with ECE fees
    Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Unlocking a sustainable, low-emissions future
    A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.  “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Chief of Army thanked for his service
    Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders
    25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Government commits nearly $3 million for period products in schools
    Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Speech – Making it easier to build.
    Good morning, it’s great to be here.   First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning.  I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Pacific youth to shine from boost to Polyfest
    Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • 2024 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships announced
    ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Speech to Breast Cancer Foundation – Insights Conference
    Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Kiwi research soars to International Space Station
    New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Speech to the New Zealand Planning Institute
    Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Support for Northland emergency response centre
    The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed.  “Northland has faced a number ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Celebrating 20 years of Whakaata Māori
    New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Some commercial fishery catch limits increased
    Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

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